Virginia Tech’s last two bowls hinged, in large measure, on the right instep of the Hokies’ kicker. If history threepeats in Tuesday’s Sun Bowl versus UCLA, the pressure will fall on a junior who hasn’t attempted a competitive placement since high school.

Michael Branthover has kicked off and punted for Tech, but he’s yet to kick an extra point or field goal. That’s about to change.

When I casually asked coach Frank Beamer on Sunday how Eric Kristensen, the Hokies’ kicker since Cody Journell’s dismissal from the program last month, had looked during bowl workouts, he made news.

But Kristensen’s range is limited to about 42 yards, and for any kicks longer, Beamer had planned to use Branthover against Maryland and Virginia. The opportunity did not arise, as Kristensen made field goals of 22, 30 and 38 yards against the Cavaliers, 31 versus the Terps.

“I think in the big picture, rather than have a short kicker … and a deep kicker … I’d rather have the one guy that’s in there and kicking," Beamer said. "And then if he has to kick the critical field goal, he’s been in the game kicking an extra point or another field goal.

“That’s kind of my thinking, and Michael’s got a lot of talent. He had some success in the Virginia game, did the onside kick great. That was a touch deal. He’s been more consistent. He’s got a strong, strong leg.”

Branthover’s ascension caps a bizarre season in which he was summoned from the stands before an October home game against Duke after kickoff man Mitchell Ludwig was injured during warm-ups. He has since kicked off 16 times. A rare scholarship kicker out of high school, Branthover, a graduate of DeMatha Catholic in suburban Washington, D.C., also kicked off in four games last season after punting in six contests as a freshman in 2011.

Beamer made the decision after watching Kristensen and Branthover kick Sunday.

“I’ve been going back and forth,” Beamer said. “About the time I get my mind made up one way, something would happen and (I’d) go the other.”

Branthover will be Tech’s fourth placekicker of 2013. The incumbent, Journell started the season. When he was suspended for the Marshall game, Ethan Keyserling went 0-for-3, two coming in overtime – the Hokies still managed to win, 29-21.

Journell returned, only to be banished permanently the week before the Nov. 16 Maryland game for yet another unspecified transgression, prompting Beamer to elevate Kristensen.

Journell kicked Tech to a 13-10 overtime victory over Rutgers in last year Russell Athletic Bowl. But he missed the previous season’s Sugar Bowl, suspended after an especially brain-dead attempt to retrieve marijuana he believed had been stolen from him.

In Journell’s stead, Justin Myer made 4-of-5 field goals, but his miss came from 37 yards in overtime, after which Michigan’s Brendan Gibbons connected from the same distance to give the Wolverines a 23-20 win.

Myer became the kicker only after Journell's original backup, Tyler Weiss, missed curfew at the bowl and was sent home.

Beamer often has raved about Branthover’s powerful leg but at the same time lamented his inconsistent accuracy.

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